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Peyton Manning's weapons vs. Andrew Luck's weapons

Well, Jim Irsay, since you brought it up, let’s take a look at what sort of offensive team the Colts have built around Andrew Luck and what sort of support the Broncos have given Peyton Manning. (Analysis by USA TODAY Sports' Lindsay H. Jones)

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Peyton Manning's weapons vs. Andrew Luck's weapons

Well, Jim Irsay, since you brought it up, let’s take a look at what sort of offensive team the Colts have built around Andrew Luck and what sort of support the Broncos have given Peyton Manning. (Analysis by USA TODAY Sports' Lindsay H. Jones) Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

Colts WRs: Even at age 34, Reggie Wayne (87) -- who knows a thing or two about playing with Manning -- remains one of the NFL’s premier wideouts. And the Colts have added a couple of strong young players in T.Y. Hilton and former first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey. It’s hardly a group that will put up “Star Wars" numbers, but it should be considered among the better receiving trios in the AFC. Sam Riche, The Indianapolis Star

Broncos WRs: Manning gushed about his receivers in Denver, and that was before the Broncos signed Wes Welker (83) in the offseason. Now they boast the best receiving group in the AFC, if not the entire NFL. Welker, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are each on pace for more than 1,000 receiving yards.
Edge: Denver Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

Colts TEs: They have invested heavily in youngsters at the position, though the group took a hit when Dwayne Allen wound up on injured reserve. That leaves Coby Fleener (80), Luck’s college teammate, as the best option. He struggled last week with several big drops in the loss at San Diego. Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports

Broncos TEs: It took until this season, his third, but Julius Thomas is finally living up to the potential the Broncos saw in him when they drafted the former college basketball player in 2011. Thomas has 31 catches, including seven TDs, this season. His emergence has significantly reduced the playing time for former Colt Jacob Tamme and last year’s starter, Joel Dreessen.
Edge: Denver Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

Broncos RBs: Starter Knowshon Moreno (27) is averaging 4.7 yards per carry and has scored seven TDs in seven games. He's played well enough to push 2012 and 2013 draft picks Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball, respectively, into complementary roles. But the Broncos’ offense isn’t built around its running game and won’t feature any of the backs on a weekly basis. Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports

Colts RBs: In trading for former first-round pick Trent Richardson (34), Indianapolis has reinforced its plans to be a power-running team. It has taken time for Richardson to adjust to the Colts, but he gives them the tough-running presence they wanted. Donald Brown, one of the few remaining skill position players from Manning’s final season, is averaging 7.8 yards per carry in a backup role.
Edge: Indianapolis Thomas J. Russo, USA TODAY Sports

Broncos O-line: It's been in flux for much of this year, with a series of offseason and preseason injuries at center. Then all-pro LT Ryan Clady suffered a season-ending foot injury in September. Now starting RT Orlando Franklin is expected to miss Sunday’s game after spraining an ankle last week. That has forced the Broncos to move G Louis Vasquez into Franklin's spot -- Vasquez had never played a game there before last week -- and insert veteran Chris Kuper into the starting lineup at right guard. Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

Colts O-line: You can’t have a power running game without powerful blockers, and the Colts have been significantly improved this season. Right now, no line is blocking as well for its backs as Indianpolis' is. Still, there are some issues in pass protection -- Luck has been sacked 13 times already after going down 41 times as a rookie in 2012.
Edge: Indianapolis Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP